Blogs

Review - T. Rex Unchained: Unreleased Recordings Volumes 1 & 2

Artist: Marc Bolan & T. Rex

The late Marc Bolan's instantly identifiable voice and fantastic knack for wordplay have inspired enough musicians to fill a parade of Buicks. The songs on "T. Rex Unchained: Unreleased Recordings Volumes 1 & 2" spotlight Bolan's originality and date from 1965-1977 -- a time when the British pop star risked a lot by embracing a glam image for his band, T. Rex, as the '60s folkies turned into '70s rockers.

Bolan effortlessly glides through autobiographical, 12-bar blues songs about love, cars and the Gospel on this double-disc, which is remarkably void of filler. "Spaceball Boot" is a demo version of the more familiar "Spaceball Ricochet" but with different lyrics. Similarly, "Alligator Man" resembles the huge T. Rex hit "Jeepster." Image may have meant a lot to the success of Bolan, but as these songs testify, he never let it detract from his music.